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Nectar Tasting Room Grand Opening Weekend

Thank you! The words and video associated with this post would not have been possible without each of you. You have been supporters from day one. What started 14 months ago as an intentional branding effort for a wine and coffee business is now finally becoming a reality. Nectar Tasting Room is here! Who would have thought that a blog, blended with social media, combined with old fashion networking and relationship building could lead to an actual brick and mortar business?!

The steps leading to this moment have been some of THE most exciting and THE most difficult moments of my life. Finding the space at 120 N. Stevens was a magical moment. The moment I peered inside the windows, I knew this was the home to Nectar Tasting Room. Working through lease negotiations, city building regulations, and liquor control board issues have made me physically ill and visibly older (I would venture that if you go back to video #1 you’ll see a thinner and younger looking Mr. Nectar).

Once we received permission from the city to build, progress moved quickly. Every day was like watching an exciting story unfold with new twists turns and plot developments. The contractors have become friends. While they tend to push every project right up to the very last possible minute (still working on plumbing when the health inspector is walking through the building), these are good hardworking people just trying to make it in the economy. The beauty of the space is partially theirs to be proud of. While the initial relationship with the building owners started a little rocky, I have grown to like my landlord. Their family, in fact, purchased 8 Club Nectar memberships! Thanks for your support.

It takes a team to get the work done. From my original designer, Josh Hissong (who is now a great friend and a fantastic individual) to the team who picked up the ball and ran with it, Rainmaker Marketing – the space is a credit to their hard work, persistence and patience (mostly with me). Billie Gaura, Cindy Wiedmer, Josh King, and the rest of the Rainmakers, THANKYOU from the very bottom of my heart. I can’t wait to share a glass of grapes with each of you. I also want to say thanks to the local businesses who have provided their endless support – Sante Restaurant, Anemone Designs, Concept Home Furniture, Firefly Lighting, Steven Meek Architects and Pixie Dust Chocolates. My final thanks goes to the amazing people and partners at LaunchPadINW. Bill, Allen, Mark, Jared, and Jennifer, (and the other office cronies Ed, Travis, Heather, Hara, Mark, Ash), I could not have accomplished any of this without your support and guidance. I look forward to our future as neighbors at the 1889 building.

The best part of the whole journey begins now. Now, I get to help each of you enjoy some great Washington State wine. I look forward to putting faces and real names to twitter handles. The next few months will be a reunion of “old friends” as you walk through the tasting room. We built this space to continue to grow the Spokane wine scene and to be a part of a business we love. Join us for our grand opening weekend for three days of fun and excitement.

We are open Thursday from Noon – 7pm, Friday and Saturday from Noon – 9pm (don’t forget The Final Sip wine party on Saturday from 9pm-10pm). Enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday night. Stop by to meet all of the five winery owners and wine makers (at various times). It is an absolute treat to hear from the passionate people behind the wine. Use our innovative iPad wine menu to learn, explore and even save the wines you enjoy. Relax in the modern space. Most importantly, but a bottle or two and enjoy life with friends, drink happy!

Josh, I am so excited for you! You make the rest of us wine bloggers look like slackers. Having just been through the commercial space search and negotiations for plain office space, I can’t imagine how much you’ve been through for retail. Hubby and I don’t usually put Spokane on the list for our West Coast trips, but we’ll definitely have to now.

Everything sounds and looks great!! Can’t wait to make a trip over your way to check this venture out. I lived on the South Hill for a few years and loved the downtown area. All the wineries sound great, though I am a little apprehensive about Terra Blanca. Really? Wasn’t there someone else? Alas, I will give them another try.
Congrats!!!

Congrats! Having opened two Savvy Cellar’s in the SF Bay Area, I know all too well how hard it is to bring such a vision to fruition. You’ve done a great job on the look of the place. Hope it goes over very well – as I’m sure it will. That said, if you think you are tired now, just wait . . . .:)